Handling colts

[XmisshorsestyleX]

Hello all,

Im looking for some help on how to handle my yearling colt in the right manner. Yesterday I got him in from the field (24hr turnout in a group with two older mares) for a groom etc, I went to pick his hooves out and I started on the near fore, he kept cow kicking towards my head whenever I asked him to pick it up. So I went and put my riding helmet on and went back to the same leg. The kicking seemed to get worse the more I asked him, and when I finally managed to pick it up he kept rearing up getting more and more wound up about the situation.
Im not normally the handler of him but have experience with young horses. I spoke to his usual handler about it who is an older male and obviously much stronger than me being a 18yr old female, who said that he never has any problems with him... But I suspect this is because he feeds him at the same time as picking his hooves out.

I need advise to handle the situation correctly as I am now going to be handling him from day to day and I need this problem sorted before he gets bigger and the hormones start to kick in!

Thanks in advance! xx

 

[Laafet]

Dealing with colts all the time at work, I would advise that you do not go about picking his feet out on your own until he has got the idea that it is not acceptable to try to kick you. Does he tie up? This would help your control a lot as you can guess which way he will try to kick you. We usually have two people per horse until they are happy being tied up and although I hate using food as a distraction, a well placed haynet often helps to draw attention away from yourself. You are going about this the right way, hope he gets better.

 

[Partoow]

Agree with laafet i have had a lot and i always have more than one handler about and more often than not try and do them with an older horse about.
One trick i have learnt is that i put an old towel around the fetlock as this makes it easier to control and it less likely for him to be able to get his own way i find an old tea towel the best length.i also use an arab head collar with a chain under the chin as this gives the handler more control if he goes to stand up. Quiet calm handling NO AGRESSION when he is being rude be tough but dont get angry is what i am saying. Stick to your guns and do what you want to get done no matter how long it takes.
I found my yearling to be the most stroppy stage in their handling life so dont be put off!! Lessons learnt now will stand you in good stead later.

 

[XmisshorsestyleX]

Very fair point Laafet, I shouldnt try to pick his feet out without people around.. Potentially dangerous situation!! I wont be doing it again thats for sure.
I had him tied up outside one of the stables, at the moment hes a lovely quiet boy, enjoys the fuss but can be quite cheeky in other aspects. I know its only a matter of time when he starts to realise hes a colt, therefore I want to start setting the ground rules now.. Before it becomes less manageable.

I will try the haynet, but how do you tell a colt its not acceptable to kick?? I know hes only scared because he hasnt got the comfort of food to distract him from people handling his hooves but how do I enforce my dominance?? Alot of people have said to just give him a slap but I fear this could make him worse and I dont think its the best way to handle it!

 

[XmisshorsestyleX]

Partoow thanks for the advice im abit confused about the tea towell and how you would use it, can you explain in abit more depth please.

Thank you x

 

[Laafet]

We sometimes us a rope to lift legs if they are being difficult and lashing out as it puts a safe distance between yourself and the horse, bit like partoows towel thing I imagine.
As for firm handling, our horses seem to learn 'no' very quickly and if a firm no is not having the desired effect a good skin twitch pinch on the neck works wonders with colts. Afterall thats how they deal with one another. I would never try to get really physical with one unless it is getting dangerous and believe me there are some seriously stroppy colts here. I think that sometimes starting to slap colts around encourages them as think you are playing with them, the skin pinch is a less violent reminder IMO. Hope that helps.

 

[XmisshorsestyleX]

Thank you Laafet, its a massive help!! Will put it all into practice...

 

[vieshot]

My yearling has always been quite good so ive never really had to much of a problem as hes a very fast learner but i do find that a good farrier is BRILLIANT at teaching yougsters to hold their feet up without being silly about it. They hold on and dont let go so the colts normally give in pretty quick, whereas im also an 18yo female who probably wouldnt have the strength to hang on!

 

[Partoow]

Yes the teatowel rapped around the leg so you hold the two ends less likely to mark the rope thats what i find. The'tinkers grip pinch' is also a good one as you rightly say a slap and they think you are having a laugh theses boys are used to playing rough!!Laafet you and i obviously come from the same school on this one!

 

[Laafet]

Can see what you mean partoow. I learnt my skills in a dealing yard and in the Thoroughbred industry. Its been vital to learn how to deal with colts in an efficient and safe manner as I'm not that tall or strong! The grip pinch is ideal to get any horse to stand still if its starts to mess. None of my own horses are frightened of me as they never get a slap unless they have really done something dangerous but they do have respect.